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Your View: Letters to the editor (Jan. 16)

Posted:
01/16/2013 01:00:00 AM MST

Not a modern city

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I read the front-page story about growth transforming Las Cruces. The message that growth is good and we are becoming a modem city is absurd. A modem city would have adequate public transportation and much more concern about the water shortage.

The bus system here is so bad that most people have to drive to work whether they want to or not. This means over-crowded streets with inadequate traffic control. As for water conservation, the restrictions are ridiculous. I can't water my yard on four days of the week, but the other three days there is no limit and no penalty other than a slightly higher rate.

These are just two examples and I could list several more. One would be Codes Enforcement telling me to cut back my yucca that is two inches over the sidewalk while allowing some houses to park a couple of cars in the front yard.

BARBARA LEE MYERS

Las Cruces

El Caldito thanks

On Dec. 25, 2012, about 400 people had a joyous Christmas, with a hot traditional Christmas meal served at El Caldito Soup Kitchen. The task was met by the many people who supported El Caldito in the only way they knew how to ... by GIVING! The people of the city of Las Cruces and surrounding areas are known for their generosity.

Our local businesses contributed much to make things work at El Caldito with in-kind and financial help. Their help comes not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.

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People in our community came out in support for Empty Bowls in October, Thanksgiving in November and then again filled our coffers with hams, sweet potatoes, fruits, pies and other food items for Christmas in December.

A special THANK YOU to all the volunteers who gave of themselves on Christmas Day. Our volunteers were there early in the morning preparing food, filling goodie bags and then serving the meal during the afternoon. We were pleased to be entertained with guitar music during the festivities.

May you all have a healthy and happy 2013!

DONNA A. WOOD

El Caldito Board of Directors,

Las Cruces

Internet myths

Mary Mastrantuono's comment, in the Jan. 5 edition of the Sun-News, claims there are 11 states that have more people not working than working. When I also read this same claim previously as an e-mail forward, I was skeptical and decided to check it out. A bit of research turned up the following:

The November 2012 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that there were 871,000 people employed in the state of New Mexico. There were 57,000 people unemployed. Then I checked out the Social Security recipients in the state of New Mexico, which showed 370,000 people getting benefits. This included retirees, widows and the disabled. So there's a total of 427,000 not working. But wait, there's more. What about those in jail or hospitals?

Even if you take into account the above categories, and other people who fall through the cracks that are not accounted for, this total of 427,000 who are not working would fall far short of the claim made that there are more people not working than working.

This fabrication, among so many others that flow across the Internet, is not supported by the facts.

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